Learning Italian as an English speaker comes with unique challenges. While both languages share some Latin roots and vocabulary, the similarities can often be misleading. Certain patterns or habits from English simply don’t apply to Italian, and these mismatches frequently lead to common mistakes. Whether you’re a beginner or advancing in your studies, being aware of these typical errors can help you correct them early and build a more natural, fluent use of Italian.
Translating Word-for-Word
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is trying to directly translate phrases from English to Italian. Unfortunately, many everyday expressions simply don’t transfer well between the two languages.
For example, the English phrase “I’m cold” is often wrongly translated as Io sono freddo, which literally means “I am cold” in a physical sense — but in Italian, this can sound like you’re emotionally distant. The correct phrase is Ho freddo, which literally means “I have cold.”
Another example is “I’m hungry.” In English, it’s a state of being, but in Italian it’s expressed with the verb avere (to have): Ho fame — “I have hunger.”
Understanding that Italian doesn’t always map to English grammar or idioms is essential. Learn phrases in context rather than translating word-for-word.
Gender and Agreement Errors
Italian is a gendered language. Every noun is either masculine or feminine, and adjectives and articles must agree in both gender and number. For English speakers used to a gender-neutral grammar system, this can be tricky.
For example:
Il ragazzo alto (the tall boy)
La ragazza alta (the tall girl)
Even small mistakes in agreement can make your sentence sound odd or confusing. A common error is forgetting to match adjectives to feminine nouns or using the wrong article. For instance, saying il macchina instead of la macchina is incorrect, because macchina (car) is feminine.
To avoid this, always learn nouns with their articles (il, la, un, una) so you naturally associate the correct gender.
Misusing Verb Tenses
English and Italian verb tenses don’t align perfectly, and trying to force English logic onto Italian verbs often leads to confusion. One of the most common problems is choosing the wrong past tense or misunderstanding reflexive verbs.
In Italian, both the passato prossimo and the imperfetto are used to describe past actions, but each has a specific purpose. English tends to use just one simple past, so English speakers may default to the wrong one.
I was going to the store every day = Andavo al negozio ogni giorno (imperfect tense, repeated action)
I went to the store yesterday = Sono andato al negozio ieri (passato prossimo, one-time action)
Reflexive verbs are also confusing for English speakers. In Italian, many daily actions are reflexive: mi sveglio (I wake myself up), ci laviamo (we wash ourselves). Neglecting the reflexive part changes the meaning or results in incorrect grammar.
Pronunciation Slip-Ups
Italian pronunciation is relatively consistent compared to English, but English speakers often bring their own phonetic habits into the language. Mispronouncing vowels, double consonants, or letter combinations can change the meaning of words.
For instance, papa (pope) is very different from papà (dad), and anno (year) should never be confused with ano (a very different word). Misplacing stress on the wrong syllable or skipping double consonants can make speech unclear or even unintentionally humorous.
Another example is the rolled “r,” which doesn’t exist in English. While it’s not essential for communication, working on your pronunciation and rhythm will make you sound more natural and confident.
Ignoring Prepositions
Prepositions are one of the hardest parts of learning Italian because their usage often doesn’t match English logic. English speakers frequently misuse prepositions by applying familiar English rules.
For example, we say “good at drawing” in English, but in Italian it’s bravo a disegnare, not bravo in disegnare. Similarly, “think about” becomes pensare a, not pensare su.
Prepositions in Italian often have multiple uses depending on the context, and memorizing them with specific expressions is more effective than trying to translate them literally. Pay close attention to phrases like andare a (go to), essere in (be in), parlare di (talk about), and pensare a (think about), and learn them as fixed units.